Electric switch



June 10, 1924. 1,497,061

T. A. BOTH ELECTRI C SWITCH Filed July 29, 1920 Z z INVENTOR WWM ATTORNEY Patented dime 1Q, 1924.

warren stares TONJES A. BOTH, or srna'rron-n, oonnncrrour, ssronoa are THE o oivnne'rion-r time earner orrics.

ELECTRIC FIANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BBIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, COB.-

POR-ATION OF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed July 29,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Tennis A. Born, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stratford, county of F airfield, State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to electric switches of the type disclosed in my pending appli cation folpatent, Serial No. 291,577, filed April 21, 1919, and which includes a pivoted, oscillatable switch member the contact arms of which are provided with apertures, a key shaft which passes through the apertures and is provided with a crank which is located between the contact arms, a compression actuating spring which is located between the crank and switch member, and means adapted to properly position the com pression spring with respect to the crank and switch member, and the invention has for one of its objects to produce improved means adapted to insure the position of said compression spring and at the same time allow it sufficient freedomof movement whereby it can better perform its function. A further object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of contacts for the contact arms of the switch member.

WVith the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises the construction, arrangement and operation of parts as now to be fully described and hereinafter specifically claimed.

In the. accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an electric switch in which are incorporated the features of the invention, showing the switch shell or casing in section; I

Fig. 2 an enlarged section on line 22 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 an enlarged section on line 33 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 a section on line 3 -3 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 1 a section corresponding with Fig. 3, but looking in the opposite direction and showing the switch member in a different position; and

Figs. 5, 6, 7', 8 and 9 areenlarged per spective views of the switch member, the cup, the compression actuating spring, the

1920. Serial No. 399,750.

crank thrust arm, and the operating member, respectively, of the invention.

10 denotes'the casing, 11 the screw shell, and 12 and 13' the'upper and lower insulating blocks, respectively, of the switch of the invention. A shell connector, denoted by 14:, is provided with a binding screw 15 to which one of the lead wires is connected. The lower insulating block is provided with a pair of preferably rectangular openings 16 which are of considerable width for a purpose to be explained. An eyelet 17, which secures the center contact to the lower insulating block, also secures to I said block an arm 18 shaped to provide a folded contact 19 adapted to rest in one of the circular openings as will be understood. A binding post 20 which carries a binding screw 21 for the other of the lead wires is secured to the lower insulating block by means of a screw which also secures to said block an arm 22 shaped to provide a folded contact 23 which is adapted to rest in the other of said rectangular openings. It will be obvious that when the folded contacts are bridged the circuit will be closed. As disclosed more clearly in Fig. 2, I provide a Ushaped switch member which comprises a pair of contact arms 241'e'ach provided with an enlarged portion25 having therein a preferably circular aperture 41-1- for this purpose. Thefswitchmemberis perforated as denoted at 26 toreceive a pivot pin 27 which is adapted to rest in a. recess 28 in the lower insulating block and by means of which the switch member is pivoted in the switch so that it is oscillatable. As a means for operating the switch member I provide a key shaft 29 which carries a key 30 and is formed with a crank 31. As shown in Fig, 2, the key shaft is parallel with the pivot pin for the switch member and rests in a recess 32 in the lower insulating block, and passes through the apertures in the contact arms, and the crank is arranged between said contact arms. As a means for actuating the switch member, I provide a compression spring 33' whichis located between the crank and switch member in a manner now to be described. A crank thrust arm34c is provided with a bearing surface. 35 adapted to engage the crank and oscillate thereon, and a cup 36 equipped with guide arms 37 is provided with shoes 38 which are adapted to bear against the walls of the apertures and slide therein as more clearly disclosed in Fig. 2. The compression spring is arranged on the crank thrust arm and is adapted to rest in the cup, the longitudinal movement of said compression spring being limited by the bottom of the cup and the head, denoted by 39, of the crank thrust arm, and while the compression spring is capable of slight transverse movement, its proper position with respect to the crank and the switch member is insured by the crank thrust arm and the cup, particularly the guide arms thereof. When the key shaft is rotated, the crank, as well as the crank thrust arm, the compression spring and the cup, will be rotated therewith, and the shoes of the cup will be caused to slide in the apertures of the contact arms. It will be obvious that when the crank is rotated so that it is in a position above the pivot pin for the switch member, the pressure of the compression spring will be exerted downwardly to cause the contact arms to engage the folded contacts as disclosed in Fig. 3, and when the crank is rotated until it is below the pivot pin, the compression spring will exert its pressure to remove the contact arms from the folded contacts as disclosed in Fig. l. It will further be obvious that the arrangement allows for rotating the key of the shaft in either direction.

The arrangement of compression actuating spring fully described, provides an ideal flexible actuating connection between the crank and the contact arms of the switch member. As the crank is being revolved and the compression spring is being put under pressure by reason of the fact that the shoes are'sliding in the apertures, there is no obstruction presented to the proper functioning of the spring. It is: free to contract and to expand and is so located that its middle may have slight transverse movement. The crank thrust arm is adapted to oscillate on the crank, as before mentioned, so that the end of the spring which bears against the head of said arm is allowed sufficient free dom of movement for its purpose.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and as here inbejtore mentioned, the rectangular openings which are adapted to receive the folded contacts are of considerable width. That is, the arrangement is such that the folded contacts do not engage the walls of the rectangular openings. The folds of the contacts, as will be understood, are so constructed that they snugly grip the contact arms of the switch member to insure a reliable connection, and the openings opposite the folds are flared outwardly as indicated at 40 to allow the contact arms to easily find the folds and for an additional purpose which will be made obvious.

As Very clearly disclosed in Fig. 3 the upper insulating block is provided with slots 42 adapted to receive the contact arms when in the off-position of the switch. These slots are, approximately, the width of the contact arms, and as will be noted, their lower edges are located in close proximity to the flared opening of the folded contacts midway between said flared openings. The arrangement described and shown in Fig. 3 provides means for the prevention of arcing as the contact arms are withdrawn from the folded contacts. its will be obvious, the moment the contact arms are removed they will pass into the slots in the insulating block and thus be out of communication with the flared openings.

What I claim is:

1. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatable operating member carried thereby and provided with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support, and actuating means located between said operating member and switch member, said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm having engagement with said crank, cup having sliding connection with said switch member, and a compression spring located between said crank thrust arm and cup.

2. An electric switch comprisin a support, an operating member carried thereby and including a rotatably mounted key shaft formed with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support, and actuating means located between said operating member and switch member, said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm having engagement with said crank, a cup, means connecting the cup with said switch member, and a compression spring located between said crank thrust arm and cup.

3. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatably mounted member carried thereby and including a key shaft formed with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support, and actuating means for said switch member located between said operating member and switch member, said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm having engagement with said crank, a cup having sliding connection with said switch member, and a compression spring located between said crank thrust arm and cup.

4. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatably mounted operating member carried thereby provided with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support. and actuating means located between said operating member and switch member and adapted to oscillate the switch member consequent upon a change of the line of action of the actuating means beyond the pivot center of the switch member, said actuating ill means comprising a crank thrust arm having engagement with said crank, a cup connected with said switch member, and a compression spring located between said crank thrust arm and cup.

5. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatably mounted operating member carried thereby and formed with a crank, a switchmember pivoted to said support and having a transverse opening therethrough, and means, operative around the axis of the operating member, to actuate the switch member when the operating member is rotated beyond the pivot center of the switch member, said means comprising a crank thrust arm having engagement with said crank, a cup provided with guiding means having sliding connection with the opening in said switch member, and a compression spring located between said crank thrust arm and cup.

6. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatably mounted operating member carried thereby and provided with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support ona pivot parallel with said operating member and provided with a transverse opening therethrough, and means, operative around the axis of the operating member, to actuate the switch member when the operating member is rotated beyond the pivot center of the switch member, said meanscomprising a crank thrust arm which bears against the crank, a cup having sliding connection with the switch member, and a compression spring which is located between said crank thrust arm and cup.

7. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatably operating member carried thereby and provided with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support on a pivot parallel with said operating member, and means, comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface which engages the crank, a cup provided with shoes which engage said switch member, and a compression spring which rests in said cup and is entered by said crank thrust arm, to actuate the switch member.

8. An electric switch comprising a manua1 operating member including a crank, a pivoted switch member, and revolvable, compressible actuating means between the operating member and switch member, said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm which bears against said crank, a cup having sliding connection with the switch member, and a compression spring which rests in said cup and is entered by said crank thrust arm.

9. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatably mounted eccentric operating member carried thereby, an oscillatable U-shaped switch member, folded contacts, and actuating means for the switch member,

comprising a crank thrust arm engaging said eccentric member, a cup having sliding connection with said switch member, and a compression spring which rests in said cup and is entered by said crank thrust arm, between the eccentric member and switch member for oscillating said switch member to cause the arms thereof to enter said folded contacts or to be released therefrom.

10. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatable operating member carried thereby having a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support and provided with guiding means, and actuating means located between said switch member and crank,

said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface which engages said crank, a cup provided with shoes which are adapted to slide on the guiding means of said switch member, and a compression spring located in said cup and entered by said crank thrust arm.

11. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatably mounted operating member carried thereby and provided with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said sup port and provided with guiding means, and actuating means located between said switch member and operating member for causing said switch member to be swung on its pivot, said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface engaging said crank, a cup provided with shoes having sliding engagement with the guiding means carried by said switch member and further provided with guide arms, and a compression spring located in said cup and between said guide arms and entered by said crank thrust arm.

12. An electric switch comprising a sup port, a rotatable operating member carried thereby and formed with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support and including a pair of contact arms provided with apertures, said operating member passing through said apertures and said crank located between said contact arms,and actuating means located between said crank and switch member'and adapted to cause said switch member to be swung on its pivot, said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface engaging said crank and adapted to oscillate thereon, a cup provided with shoes engaging the edge portions of the switch member defined by said apertures and adapted to slide thereon, and a compression spring located on said crank thrust arm and bearing against the bottom .of said cup.

13. An electric switch comprising a support,a rotatable operatingmember carried thereby and formed with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support and including a pair of parallel contact arms provided with apertures, said operating member pass ing through said apertures and said crank located between said contact arms, and actuating means located between said crank and switch member and adapted to cause said switch member to be swung on its pivot, said actuatin means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface engaging said crank and adapted to oscillate thereon, a cup provided with shoes engaging the edge portions of the switch member defined by said apertures and adapted to slide thereon and further provided with guide arms, and a compression spring located on said crank thrust arm and bearing against the bottom of said cup and having its sidewise movement limited by said crank thrust arm and guide arms.

14. An electric switch comprising a support, a rotatable operating member carried thereby and formed with a crank, a switch member pivoted to said support and including a pair of parallel contact arms provided with apertures, said operating member passing through said apertures and saic crank located betweensaid parallel arms, and actuating means operative around the axis or the operating member and located between the crank and switch member adapted to cause said switch member to be swung on its pivot, said actuatin means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface engaging said crank, a cup provided with shoes engaging the edge portions (if the switch member defined. by said apertures and adapted to slide thereon as said operating means is being rotated and further provided with guide arms, and a compression spring located on said crank thrust arm and hearing against the bottom of said cup and having its sidewise movement limited by said crank thrust arm, cup and guide arms.

1:", ln an electric switch of the character described, a rotatable key shaft formed with a crank, a switch member provided with apertured contact arms, and means located between said crank and switch member for oscillating saic switch member, said means comprising a crank thrust arm bearing against said crank, a cup, means slidably connecting the cup with the edge portions of the switch member defined by the aperture in said contact arms, and. a con'iprcssion spring seated in said cup and entered by said crank thrust arm.

16. In an electric switch of the character described, a rotatable key shaft formed with a crank, a switch member provided with apertured contact arms, and means located between said crank and switch member for oscillating said switch member, said means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface engaging said crank and adapted to oscillate thereon, a cup pro vided with shoes engaging the edge portions or the switch member defined by the apertures of said contact arms and adapted to slide thereon, and a compression spring seated in said cup and entered by said crank thrust arm.

17. In an electric switch of the character described, rotatable operating means formed with a crank, a switch member provided with apertured contact arms, and means located between said crank and switch member for oscillating said switch member, said means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface engaging said crank and adapted to oscillate thereon, a cup provided with shoes engaging the edge portions of the switch member defined by the apertures in said contact arms and adapted to slide thereon and further provided with guide arms, and a compression spring seated in said cup and between said guide arms and entered by said crank thrust arm.

18. In an electric switch of the character described, a rotatable operating member formed with a crank, a switch member including parallel contact arms provided with t apertures, and actuating means for said switch member comprising a crank thrust arm bearing against said crank, a cup provided with shoes engaging the edge portions of the switch member defined by said apertures and slidable thereon, and a compression spring located on said crank thrust arm and arranged in said cup.

19. In an electric switch of the character described, a rotatable operating member formed with a crank, an oscillatable switch member including parallel contact arms provided with apertures, said operating member passing through said apertures and said crank located between said contact arms, and actuating means for causing said switch member to be oscillated, said actuating means comprising a crank thrust arm provided with a bearing surface engaging said crank and adapted to oscillate thereon, a cup pro vided with shoes engaging the edge portions of the switch member defined by said apertures and slidable thereon and further provided with guide arms, and a compression spring located on said crank thrust arm and arranged in said cup between said guide arms.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

TONJES A. BOTH, 

